Carolyn Beckingham
received her masters in
French and Italian from the University of Oxford. She currently
works as a freelance researcher and legal interpreter in the
French language. Most recently she has been translating books
from French for the Iran Liberty Association. She has contributed
reviews to Everywoman, has translated several works
for Oxfam and SOAS.

This book addresses the evidence for
the widespread belief that enjoyment of fashion is necessarily inconsistent
with feminist values, from a feminist (as opposed to a post-feminist)
point of view. It begins by establishing that many feminists in
fact hold this belief and argues that disagreeing does not mean
claiming that feminism was unnecessary or that it is now rendered
redundant by changing social mores.

The author
describes the historical background as applied to both men’s
and women’s clothing in various cultures. She then attempts
to rebut the main anti-fashion arguments by exploring the issues
of personal freedom and political correctness, the claims that fashion
makes women sex objects for men, and the charge that the subject
is too trivial to merit serious discussion, by examining the alleged
symbolism of particular fashions and meanings attached to the concepts
of “nature” and “creativity”. Allegations
of links between fashion and pornography are explored, and the disagreements
between feminists on this topic set out. Finally, the issue of dressing
for special occasions and whether this practice has a place in the
modern world is addressed with candour. Is Fashion a Woman’s
Right? re-establishes the relationship between fashion and
feminist values.

Acknowledgements and Author’s
Note

1 The Case Against Fashion

2 How Did We Get Here?

3 What Happened to Men?
Victorian Heroines and Modern Misreadings

4 Two Kinds of Freedom

5 Who Are We Trying to Please?

6 Do Appearances Matter?
Hunt the Symbol
Caution – These Words are Loaded!

7 The Ultimate Attack: Fashion as Pornography

8 Dress as Ritual
Case Study: One Festive Place

9 What Next?

Notes
Select Bibliography
Index

“This new book on Fashion and its History is brilliant and fascinating. It is a ‘must read’ for all who are interested in style and clothes.” Roy Miles, author of Priceless: a life in art

“An impressive piece of research
which Carolyn Beckingham has translated into a persuasive narrative.
She marshals her material with skill and authority and presents
her arguments in clear, well-written prose, avoiding academic jargon.
The book will appeal not only to the specialist in this area of
study but also to the general reader. Many will find added pleasure
in returning to the classic literature from which she draws many
of her examples.” Alan Beecham, writer and journalist

“The definitive overview of fashion. An impressive and witty chronological history of our way of adorning ourselves. A must to enjoy and to treasure.” Lucienne Phillips, fashion doyenne

Publication Details

Hardback ISBN:

978-1-84519-077-4

Paperback ISBN:

978-1-84519-213-6

Page Extent / Format:

288 pp. / 229 x 152 mm

Release Date:

Hardback March 2005; Paperback April 2014

Illustrated:

No

Hardback Price:

£32.50 / $62.50

Paperback Price

£22.95 / $29.95

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